Chris Viehbacher to leave GlaxoSmithKline

Chris Viehbacher, GlaxoSmithKline's executive director and president, North American pharmaceuticals, has announced plans to leave the company.

Viehbacher resigned his position on GSK's board on Sept 8, and will leave the company entirely on December 1, 2008, according to a statement. Andrew Witty, currently CEO at GSK, was appointed to that position upon the retirement of CEO Jean-Pierre Garnier last May. Viehbacher had been a contender for the CEO role.

Witty said of Viehbacher in the statement, “I would like to thank Chris for his significant contribution to GSK, he is one of the most talented and respected executives in this industry and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”